teach him gently world

Many years ago, the words of Abraham Lincoln were more than perfect for a mom sending her firstborn off to 'big boy' school for the first time. Fast forward and they are just as appropriate today as that firstborn headed off to college:

"World, take my son by the hand - he starts to school today.

It's all going to be strange and new to him for a while and I wish you would sort of treat him gently. You, see, up to now, he's been king of the roost. He's been the boss of the backyard. I have always been around to repair his wounds and I've always been handy to soothe his feelings.

But now...things are going to be different. This morning he's going to walk down the front steps, wave his hand and start on a great adventure that probably will include wars and tragedy and sorrow.

To live in this world will require faith and love and courage. So, World, I wish you would sort of take him by the hand and teach him the things he will have to know.

Teach him, but gently if you can.

He will have to learn, I know, that all men are not just - that all men are not true. Teach him for that every scoundrel , there is a hero; that for every crooked politician there is a dedicated leader. Teach him that for every enemy, there is a friend.

Let him learn early that bullies are the easiest to lick...

Teach him that it is far more honorable to fail than to cheat. Teach him to have faith in his own ideas, even if everyone else tells him they are wrong.

Try to give my son the strength not to follow the crowd when everyone else is getting on the bandwagon. Teach him to listen to all men, but to filter all he hears on a screen of truth and to take only the good that comes through.

Teach him to sell his brawn and brains to the highest bidder but never to put a price tag on his heart and soul. Teach him to close his ears on a howling mob - and to stand up and fight if he thinks he's right.

Teach him gently, World, but don't soothe him, because only the test of fire makes fine steel.

This is a big order, World, but see what you can do. He's such a nice little fellow...

burger art

Q: what do you do while waiting on your burger?

A: add your eighties, summer camp inspired artwork to the wall.

Q: the best part?
A: when your daughter proclaims it the most creative one posted. score!

birthday wishes

i don't like bluegrass music.

but he does. plus, its his birthday.
here's my virtual birthday gift to him.

land of the free, home of the brave

if you had to take a citizenship test, could you pass? i have to admit, some of the questions made me pause and ponder. others i simply did not know the answer to. see how you would do below (there are 100 potential questions - each individual is asked 10.):

name one U.S. territory.
name one American Indian tribe.
who was president during World War I ?
who did the U.S. fight in World War II ?
name one of the writers of the Federalist Papers.
what are two rights only for U.S. citizens?
name two cabinet level positions.
the House of Representatives has how many voting members?
a U.S. Senator is elected for how many years?
how many amendments does the Constitution have?

how'd you do (without the help of Google)?

Recyclebank

I first learned of Recyclebank as I casually strolled through the winding paths of Central Park earlier this year and picked up my free coupon from an Aveeno giveaway girl...oh wait, that wasn't me was it?

I must be incompetent to stand trial, your honor.

Wait, that's not me either. Huh. (But I feel I must say on this subject that if she'd just used a Glad Odor Shield trash bag, her trunk might not be stanky.)

This Recyclebank thing is cool. You get rewarded for being environmentally minded. You can get coupons (totally my reason for being there), discounts at local restaurants and entertainment venues, and much more. The rewards change often, and the effort is really effortless (I don't think that is a proper statement, do you?).

Happy recycling!

Easy Summer Meal

It is a well known fact that we love the grill at our house. Meat, veggies, fruits, pizza -- it doesn't matter to us, we'll grill 'em all.

So when I ran across this recipe for a grilled chicken taco, I knew we'd give it a try. It couldn't have been easier to throw the ingredients together, rub 'em on the chicken and throw the chicken on the grill.

2 Tbsp. chili powder

2 Tbps. cumin

1 Tbsp. paprika

1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper

1/4 tsp. salt

1/8 tsp. pepper

1 Tbsp. packed dark brown sugar

2 Tbsp. olive oil

2 1/2 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken breasts

16 taco-size soft clour tortillas

Combine chili powder, cumin, paprika, red pepper, salt, pepper and brown sugar. Slowly add olive oil until moist (mixture will be crumbly). Rub on chicken and let rest at room temp for 30 minutes. Grill chicken until done (about 4 minutes per side). Remove from grill, cover with foil and let rest 5 minutes. Slice and serve with tortillas and your favorite condiments.
*Note: I used 1/2 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp. pepper.

And since I am in the mode of using what's in my pantry stockpile, here's what we had to go with the tacos:

Guacamole
(which you must try even if food that looks like baby doo doesn't appeal to you)

Black Bean Fiesta by Bush's

Skinnygirl Margaritas

football already, say what?

Yes, football already -- in a way. The Auburn Tigers are up for five ESPY awards and you can vote through July 9 at espn.com/espys or facebook.com/espn.

Auburn is nominated in the following categories:
Best Team
Best Coach/Manager (Gene Chizik)
Best Breakthrough Athlete (Cam Newton)
Best Game (Auburn defeats Alabama)
Best Male College Athlete (Cam Newton)

Go vote. Go Tigers!